Trump meets with potential 4-star generals amid leadership shakeup

President Donald Trump on Wednesday is meeting with candidates to serve as 4-star generals ahead of the confirmation process.

The nominees are part of Trump's backlog of candidates awaiting Senate confirmation. The Senate, moreover, faces pressure to extend operations into early August or fully recess to allow for Trump's appointments.

It is unusual for the president to meet with military nominees ahead of confirmation, though Trump has the authority to do so, according to The Hill.

“President Trump wants to ensure our military is the greatest and most lethal fighting force in history, which is why he meets with four-star-general nominees directly to ensure they are war fighters first — not bureaucrats,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told reporters.

Trump previously replaced the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff after taking office and has worked to root out "wokeness" at the Pentagon as part of his overhaul of military culture.